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- Description:
- In recent years, there have been numerous developments in quantum computation. These developments have brought into question, how quantum computers could affect security have risen. For instance, Shor’s algorithm is believed to be able to break certain encryptions faster on a perfect quantum computer faster than on, what is known as, classical computers. In a few years or decades, there could be significant developments made that allow for quantum computers to perform Shor’s Algorithm. As quantum computers exist now, the implementation of the algorithm is known to be difficult as the computes are very basic. Attempts to create quantum circuits that can compute Shor’s Algorithms aid in the understanding of the algorithm.
- Keyword:
- cryptography, Shor, RSA, IBM, and quantum computing
- Subject:
- Computer Science
- Creator:
- Marcillo-Gomez, Samuel
- Contributor:
- Dr. Alberto La Cava, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/23/2019
- Date Modified:
- 01/18/2023
- Date Created:
- May 2019
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Micromanagers and general micromanagement have been feared and hated by the global workforce since these terms were coined and later popularized. The detriment of micromanagers and their behavior in the workplace to the collective productivity of the team(s) they manage and the company they work for have been observed by workers for several decades. However, despite the negativity that sufferers of micromanagement have attributed to their previous managers’ management styles, their methods are still capable of great results, but only when they are executed properly. To discover if a top-to-bottom innovative style of micromanagement is viable in a work environment befitting this kind of management, the idea of a positive micromanager, or a micro-monitor, is defined, explained, and applied by all the relevant psychological theories, the main one being positive psychology.
- Keyword:
- organization, deviance, micromanager, micromanagement, and workplace
- Subject:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Kavanagh, Jamie P.
- Contributor:
- Dr. Joshua Feinberg, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 08/02/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
Diversity in the Classroom: Implementing Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in High School English Classes
- Description:
- This thesis takes up the issue of the traditional English curriculum in high school English classes and emphasizes the importance of incorporating culturally relevant pedagogy into English classes.
- Keyword:
- diversity in education, diversity in English literature, Secondary Education, literary canon, and English curriculum
- Subject:
- English
- Creator:
- Mendez, Dania
- Contributor:
- Dr. Michael Walonen, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/21/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/21/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Within the Gothic novels The Castle of Otranto, Dracula, The Turn of the Screw, and Rebecca, women's level of independence and morality had no connection to the social class they belonged to. However, the views of identity and sexuality are direct reflections of the social class to which each woman belonged.
- Keyword:
- The Castle of Otranto, Rebecca, Dracula, Gothic novels, The Turn of the Screw, and role of women
- Subject:
- English
- Creator:
- Mangan, Cheyenne
- Contributor:
- Dr. Kathleen Monahan, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Keyword:
- tax scandal, tax avoidance, taxes, and tax evasion
- Subject:
- Accounting
- Creator:
- Castro, Kersy
- Contributor:
- Professor Brigid D'Souza, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Current legislation is inefficient for caring for the needs of individuals with disabilities, especially those with food allergies. Despite the fact that there are additional laws put in place since 2018, America is behind other countries including those in the European Union (E.U.) when it comes to identifying the major allergens that the general population face. While America recognizes 9 major allergens, the E.U. incorporates 14 in its ingredient labeling acts. Additionally, with the rise of internet food orders, the E.U. has implemented a system where food delivery professionals would state the allergens in the foods to the customer. (Yiannas, 2022) Also, the E.U. prompts for prominently displayed articles to be present in online menus where patrons may choose their food option. America does not adhere to either of these conditions when vending food to its customers on online platforms. (Bannister, 2022) Despite the annexation of recent laws, it is not adequate to accommodate the needs of persons with food allergies as hundreds die yearly from food allergy-triggered anaphylaxis. In fact, with the addition of these laws, restaurants possess an even greater duty of care now that they have possession of informational flyers in their staff and customer forum. Therefore, restaurants need to accommodate the needs of persons with food allergies within reason and they need to inform individuals about food allergens that they would not in ordinary circumstances know about. Restaurants bear this heightened duty of care to not cause harm to their invitees and under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the responsibility to properly accommodate reasonably for their customers’ food allergies. In this paper, I hope to identify the current legislation and highlight both areas where improvement can and should be addressed.
- Keyword:
- food allergy in America, food allergies, food education, food allergy law, and legislation
- Subject:
- Marketing Management
- Creator:
- Resurreccion, Jesse
- Contributor:
- Dr. Lori Buza, Esq., Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- The objective for this research is to build a future policy that will improve help given to domestic violence victims. It is to look at the different problems both before and during the pandemic and figure out what changes can be made to better protect and aid the victims. By interviewing non-profit organizations and an EMT, we get a better idea of the challenges that advocates face before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show an increase in cases and demand for services when the pandemic started, with many organizations put on hold or transitioning to online services.
- Keyword:
- domestic violence, COVID-19, and non-profit organizations
- Subject:
- Criminal Justice
- Creator:
- Ramos, Janise
- Contributor:
- Dr. Beth Adubato, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Analysis, of model plant Arabidopsis thaliana root growth and guard cell aperture in stressful environment conditions is a beneficial way to understand overall plant growth and development. We examined the effects of scaffold protein RACK1 on small RNAs miR393 and its regulation of A. thaliana primary roots, lateral roots, and guard cells as the plant was exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl). Our results on individual mutant analysis support the hypothesis that genetic loss of RACK1A causes regulation of miR393 as A. thaliana primary root length, lateral root number, and guard cell aperture all point to the plant being more sensitive to NaCl stress. We propose a theoretical method of creating double and triple mutants, using a more efficient way to produce mutants in plants using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and bioinformatics. With double mutants, we seek to further confirm that RACK1s regulation of miR393 affects plant growth and development by modulating root growth and guard cell aperture.
- Keyword:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), RACK1, Primary Roots, Lateral Roots, CRISPR/Cas9, and Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana)
- Subject:
- Biology
- Creator:
- Rondon, Taylor
- Contributor:
- Dr. Denver Jn. Baptiste, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Even with modern medical discoveries and advances, few effective means exist to combat antibiotic resistance in the clinical setting, and as such treating infections due to pathogens that exhibit it continues to be a formidable challenge for doctors and medical practitioners. Often, it is found that antibiotic-resistant bacterial species have within their arsenals the ability to form what are called biofilms. Biofilms are communal, surface-associated assemblages of bacterial cells encased in polysaccharide matrix. Bacterial cells that live within such protective communities are usually more resistant to the effects of antimicrobial agents––like antibiotics––than planktonic (i.e., free-living) bacterial cells, often resulting in elevated levels of virulence and pathogenicity. Therefore, it stands to reason that novel treatments that specifically target the growth of bacterial biofilms would be greatly beneficial in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (colloquially called “superbugs”). This study in particular investigates whether supplemental lycopene has an inhibitory effect on the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms and whether this inhibition can be synergistically enhanced when used with the broad-spectrum antibiotic, chlortetracycline. Previous studies have established the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties of lycopene (which is a red-colored carotenoid and antioxidant), but have not investigated its antimicrobial properties in much detail. Obtained results using a standard crystal violet (CV) biofilm assay do suggest that biofilm inhibition increases with increasing supplemental lycopene concentration, and that biofilm inhibition is more substantial when supplemental lycopene is allowed to exert its effects in conjunction with antibiotics like chlortetracycline. Studies involving similar assays are ongoing to corroborate the reproducibility and validity of the obtained results.
- Keyword:
- biofilm, chlortetracycline, lycopene, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pseudomonas fluorescens
- Subject:
- Biochemistry
- Creator:
- Vora, Mihir J.
- Contributor:
- Dr. Jill Calahan, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Keyword:
- school segregation, busing, Jim Crow, racial segregation, racism, and Brown v. Board of Ed
- Subject:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- del Cielo Mendez Varillas, Maria
- Contributor:
- Dr. Anna Brown, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Caffeine is a stimulant often consumed in the form of coffee. Despite its widespread use the effects of caffeine and coffee, especially on early development, are poorly understood. The research aims to study the effects of 5 ug/ml and 10 ug/ml caffeine, 0.01% coffee, and 0.01% decaffeinated coffee on neurulation and brain development in Xenopus laevis (clawed frog). The goal is to determine if caffeine and coffee are teratogenic agents for Xenopus laevis. Furthermore, the research looks at the potential teratogenic effects of decaffeinated coffee as there are few studies done in this area. Xenopus laevis embryos were incubated in four experimental solutions and a control of aged tap water. Development was observed using a stereo microscope, and pictures were taken of the different stages. It was noted that 10 ug/ml caffeine and 0.01% coffee solutions induced the same malformations and mortality in the specimens, while the 0.01% decaffeinated coffee solution induced several malformations not observed in any other group.
- Keyword:
- xenopus laevis, development, coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and caffeine
- Subject:
- Biology
- Creator:
- Chalakova, Maria
- Contributor:
- Dr. Laura Twersky, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- In 2017, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress successfully enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This legislation slated the federal corporate tax rate to be reduced from 35 percent to 21 percent in addition to having some investments qualifying for immediate deduction as an expense (Auerbach 1). In passing this act, the White House Council of Economic Advisers predicted that reducing the corporate tax rate to 21 percent would lead to an increase in wages and it would “increase average household income in the United States by, very conservatively, $4,000 annually. … Moreover, the broad range of results in the literature suggests that over a decade, this effect could be much larger” (1). Some conservatives, such as Trump and the Republicans in Congress in 2017, have long argued that corporate tax rate cuts substantially benefit the economy by increasing investment, wages, and employment. On the other hand, opposers of corporate tax rate cuts have made the argument that these supposed benefits are not the reality of this economic policy and that what happens instead is corporations keep the money they save from these tax rate cuts, and wages and investment are not benefited in any sort of way (Hendricks 1). With my honors thesis, I will examine corporate tax rate cuts and their effects on investment and wages specifically. I will examine whether or not the benefits that Republicans and Donald Trump emphasized of increased investments and wages as a result of corporate tax rate reductions are true.
- Keyword:
- tax, investments, TCJA, wages, rates, and corporate
- Subject:
- Accounting
- Creator:
- Apostolico, James
- Contributor:
- Professor Philip Sookram, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people from all walks of life in various ways, and it has affected the way we consume media. Some spent more time on social media, others played more video games, but many sought refuge in streaming services and the content they offered. Analyzing this aspect of the pandemic has been done before through various surveys on a much larger scale, and analyzing it is particularly important because it shows how people’s habits changed since the pandemic began. This study is aimed to compare and contrast the streaming habits of people before and since the pandemic began. To achieve this, students at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ were surveyed about their streaming habits before and after the pandemic began, as well as a wide variety of people via social media. Previous research suggests that people around the world spent more time on streaming services, as well as on the internet in general. The results of this study suggest the same, with a large focus on college students, but including adults as old as 75 years old. This study showed that since the pandemic began, there was an increase in time spent on streaming services, and the amount of streaming services that people used.
- Keyword:
- theaters, COVID-19, entertainment, movies, and streaming
- Subject:
- Communication & Media Culture
- Creator:
- Caruso, Joseph
- Contributor:
- Dr. Cynthia Walker, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- The purpose of this honors thesis is to serve as a call to research and action of both experts and current and future mathematics educators. Mathematics is a complicated, abstract, and beautiful field. Math is used in everyday life, whether or not it is recognized. However, the thought of partaking in any activity involving mathematics can cause stress and anxiety. Sometimes, this occurs in the classroom, but may also happen in everyday activities. Examples include calculating a tip or calculating interest on a loan. This phenomenon has been identified as Math Anxiety. Research has been done for many years to understand this complex concept, including its causes and effects on students and adults; however, there is so much that remains unknown. This study reviews the current literature on math anxiety in the classroom, both at the K-12 and undergraduate levels, to recognize the importance of identifying math anxiety. This research will come to form a tentative action plan for educators to help alleviate math anxiety for both their students and themselves.
- Keyword:
- instruction technique, math anxiety, k-12 education, and higher education
- Subject:
- Mathematics and Education
- Creator:
- Goodman, Matthew
- Contributor:
- Dr. Jenna Cook, Thesis Advisor and Dr. John Hammett, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- We study dynamical quantum phase transitions in a two-qubit system interacting with a transverse field and a quantized bosonic environment in the context of open quantum systems. By applying the stochastic Schrödinger equation approach, the model with a spin-boson type of coupling can be solved numerically. It is observed that the dynamics of the rate function of the Loschmidt echo in a two-qubit system within a finite size of Hilbert space exhibit nonanalyticity when the direction of the transverse field coupled to the system is under a sudden quench. Moreover, we demonstrate that the memory time of the environment and the coupling strength between the system and the transverse field can jointly impact the dynamics of the rate function. We also supply a semi-classical explanation to bridge the dynamical quantum phase transitions in many-body systems and the non-Markovian dynamics of open quantum systems. We try to extend the discussion of dynamical quantum phase transitions for a general spin scheme. The Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model is considered in studying critical dynamics and entanglement in a non-Markovian context.
- Keyword:
- spin-boson, non-Markovianity, and dynamical quantum phase transitions
- Subject:
- Physics
- Creator:
- David Dolgitzer
- Contributor:
- Dr. Debing Zeng, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Since the spring of 2020, there has been a massive cultural shift in the American political atmosphere. Many of the underlying political tensions that have been ignored have suddenly come to the forefront of American politics. Along with more mobilization of left-wing political factions, there has been a staggering rise in right-wing movements. The COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways brought to attention some of the severe inequalities our current system produces as well as its fragile state of it. The pandemic has stifled years of economic growth since the Great Recession, leading to millions losing their jobs. The pandemic itself has put a massive strain on our healthcare system and has led to hundreds of thousands of Americans dead, and many more with chronic side effects. All of us in some way have been affected by the pandemic, whether it be socially, economically, physically, or mentally. In times of societal struggle and strife, however, there are political factions that thrive on this mass anxiety and aim to use that in order to garner support for their cause. Such groups are typically aligned with right-wing extremism and white supremacy. What this paper aims to do is examine how white supremacists and right-wing extremists have adapted their propaganda and recruitment tactics to COVID-19 and took advantage of the mass anxiety that came as a result.
- Keyword:
- propaganda, COVID-19, pandemic, extremism, and fascism
- Subject:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- Mark Rotundo
- Contributor:
- Dr. Anna Brown, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of in-person classes across the globe. As a result, the nursing schools in the United States altered their method of instruction from face-to-face to remote learning, including the in-person clinical rotations and NCLEX-RN preparation for the graduating nursing students. Objective: This qualitative research study explores the lived experience of the registered nurses who prepared for their NCLEX-RN and transitioned into professional nursing practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research and Methods: The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with seven registered nurses privately through phone calls, Google Meet, or Zoom meetings through the snowball technique. In addition, the researcher used ATLAS.ti to analyze all interview transcripts. Results: Three major themes emerged from this study: concerns regarding social isolation, lack of hands-on experience, and difficult transition to hospital practice. the researcher gathered mixed responses regarding their preparation for the NCLEX-RN, with three of them arguing that remote learning had a negative impact, three discussing otherwise, and one having mixed feelings. Five out of seven participants explicitly stated their problems regarding social isolation due to lack of interaction. In addition, they all expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of hands-on experience since the clinical rotations were suspended. Lastly, five out of seven participants explained having difficulty transitioning to hospital practice. Additional concerns were directed toward anxiety and lack of confidence, resulting from their perceptions and experiences. Conclusion: The consensus from this research study is that the participants' negative lived experience outweighed the positive ones, which inevitably led to feelings of doubt, frustration, loneliness, and uncertainty. Further research is necessary to understand the full-scale impact of the pandemic, especially in the field of nursing and nursing education.
- Keyword:
- transition, isolation, COVID-19, NCLEX-RN, clinical, and remote learning
- Subject:
- Nursing
- Creator:
- Christian Dumol
- Contributor:
- Dr. Michelle Romano, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Food is essential to life, the foundation of our existence, and necessary for all organisms. Food and its systems of production, availability, supply, and demand play a critical role in the development, expansion, and detriment of human civilizations. While the globalization of food systems has fostered a greater variety and availability of food, its accessibility is by no means universal. In acknowledging the disconnect relating to economies of the Global North and Global South, everyone did not reap the benefits of globalizing food. The current global food system is unsustainable in all measures: socially, environmentally, and economically, as it is a primary driver of biodiversity loss, accounts for nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) (Benton, et. al, 2021), and contributes to the food waste-hunger paradox as the world produces enough food to feed every people globally simultaneously, while 811 million people remain chronically undernourished (FAO, n.d.). Additionally, as society grows more concerned about the Earth's wellbeing, further amplified by the circumstances of the current climate crisis and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, resiliency for our global food systems becomes increasingly prevalent to transform our current food system to become part of the solution. I will be conducting my research through the perspective lens of grocery store leaders, supply chain managers, and other experts on these specific topics and providing a thorough literature review of scholarly articles and journals that explore this concept beyond my capacity and provide appropriate applications of these sustainable initiatives and how they would manifest in transforming our current global food system. These models and concepts of a closed-loop, circular economic system in our food supply chain can be recognized as an urgent and important complement to food waste mitigation and regenerative processes that aid in our Earth's recovery from the impacts of global climate change.
- Keyword:
- circular economy, global climate change, food systems, closed-loop system, supply chain management, cradle-to-cradle, sustainability, and agri-food sector
- Subject:
- Business Administration
- Creator:
- Andrea Rosas
- Contributor:
- Dr. Marilu Marcillo, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Modified:
- 06/14/2022
- Date Created:
- Spring 2022
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree in Economics in cursu honorum Dr. Fung, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance B.A. The Honors Program, Saint Peter’s University
- Keyword:
- Anthropology and Senior Honors Thesis
- Creator:
- Jamie Ruggirello
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/08/2019
- Date Modified:
- 03/04/2022
- Date Created:
- 2015
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
-
- Description:
- Using paraprofessionals to meet the social, self-care, and instructional needs of special education students began in the 1960s. The roles, duties, and expectations for these paraprofessionals evolved over the subsequent fifty years. Special education paraprofessionals play an important role in the education of students with disabilities. Since the inclusion of students with disabilities in nationally mandated assessments, their utilization has increased (Brenton, 2010). The research literature has shown that these paraprofessionals have not received adequate training for, or supervision while, performing their responsibilities and duties. Findings from the literature also highlight that these individuals provide a disproportionate amount of instruction to students with disabilities when compared to certified educators. This study focused on the responsibilities, duties, and professional needs of special education paraprofessionals in kindergarten through sixth grades. Using a concurrent mixed methods design, it utilized a three-part survey and one-time interviews to inform recommendations for expanding data collection and creating a sustainable learning community for the specific sample analyzed during this study. The current study found that many of the responsibilities and duties of this sample of special education paraprofessionals are different from those revealed in previous research. According to their responses, they do not operate independently, and they spend a significant amount of time following the teachers’ lessons plans and working under the teachers’ direct supervision. This sample of professional development needs focused on duties and responsibilities that they would like to learn more about or perform better, including training in behavior management and one-on-one tutoring.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Bertolero, Kristin
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- 11-May-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- This study focuses on understanding the impact of voice on a student conduct administrator’s role and retention in that role at community colleges. By understanding the development of student services from the Colonial era to present day and providing background information about the different types of approaches utilized to address student conduct violations, this study builds the framework to understand the impact of voice on a student conduct administrator’s role and retention in that role at community colleges. The theoretical frameworks-exit, voice, loyalty, (Hirschman, 1970), use of the ProSocial Voice (Dyne, Ang, & Botero, 2003), and principles of effective retention (Tinto, 1987) provide the foundation for the use of a qualitative narrative approach to answer the research questions (1) what impact does the ability to use voice as a student conduct administrator have on the professional’s remaining in the position? (1a) what, if any, impact does the ability to facilitate change in the institution’s student conduct process influence the professional’s remaining in the position? (1b) what, if any, impact does a student conduct administrator’s ability to advocate for the use of an approach of their choosing to address conduct violations influence his or her remaining in the position? 12 60-90 minute interviews were conducted with current student conduct administrators that work at the community college institution. Chapter 1 informs the reader about the problem, chapter two provides a detailed literature review, chapter 3 outlines the methodology and sample while chapter four provides themes of the study and data analysis. The final chapter, chapter five, discusses the findings, and recommendations for policy, practice and future studies.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Bhatt, Juhi
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- Jul-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The demands of high-stakes testing, tenure reform, and teacher accountability have dominated the landscape of education for almost two decades. The expectations placed on public schools require leadership that supports and motivates teachers to perform at extremely high levels. Public schools therefore must fill their institutions with principals who possess a leadership style that can inspire and empower teachers to tackle these demands and set a clear vision for the future of their schools. Transformational leadership is a model of leadership that has been shown to elevate and motivate followers to perform beyond organizational expectations. The purpose of this study is to examine the common transformational leadership behaviors and methods of application utilized by public school principals. This study uses quantitative and qualitative methods of research separated into two stages. In the first stage, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire-Self (MLQ) was used to survey 66 public school principals in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The results of the survey were analyzed and used to develop a cohort of 10 principals to participate in the qualitative stage of the study. In this second stage, the cohort of 10 principals participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews in order for the researcher to further examine their behaviors and methods of application. The data from the MLQ and the interviews revealed that transformational leadership exists in public schools in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The results from this study identified specific behaviors and methods of application that align with the four domains of transformational leadership. This study contributes to the existing research on transformational leadership and also provides current public school principals with information regarding behaviors that can be implemented to enhance their practices. Further research that builds upon the application of transformational leadership and its effect on variables such as school climate, teacher turnover, and student achievement would reveal the influence that transformational leadership has on other aspects of school leadership.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Aldarelli, Edward
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- Jul-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. It is estimated that one of every five deaths annually in the United States is directly related to smoking, and that smoking is responsible for several different cancers as well as acute and chronic disease (Center for Disease Control, 2013a). Despite the years of anti-smoking campaigns and evidence supporting the catastrophic health and environmental effects of smoking, 41.2 million American adults make a personal choice to smoke cigarettes (United States Department of Human Health Services, 2014b). The choice to smoke cigarettes affects personal health and is a burden to individuals, families, the government, taxpayers, and innocent bystanders. In order to improve smoking cessation outcomes among adult patients, this scholarly project implemented a tobacco cessation program in a primary care/urgent care practice to proactively connect patients with evidence-based resources and treatment.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Balut, Mary Ann
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- 2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Financial crunching has created a vacuum in the mission of community colleges, with specific focus paid to completion rates and degree attainment of students from low economic settings. This constraint on a profound national level has imposed a general concern to the American society, and many of our community colleges have aligned with global affordable technology, worldwide demand for accessible high quality education, and ever-increasing revenue that calls for a strategic path to fundraising. In this study, resource dependence theory, highlights fundraising as a capacity-building management tool that leads educational leadership team down to varied ways of success. This theoretical framework was used for this study to explore the correlational impact prevailing between the strategies of fundraising, such as capital appropriation, endowment, charity gifts, and grants as independent variables and completion rates as dependent variables. As predictive research, this study is open to predicting the future status of the dependent or outcome variable on the basis of four attributes of the independent variable characterized as fundraising. The dependent variable of college completion rate is a key component of discussions about accountability in higher education, with a specific relationship in the 19 community colleges in New Jersey within four academic years. This strategic alternative resource is the most descriptive means of using fundraising to meet state workforce, educational, and economic goals, as well as essentially enhancing the diverse array of community colleges to achieve the most successful return on student completion rate, which is the sole concern of college presidents in New Jersey who have limited staffing and budgets for fundraising.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Aribe, Stephen Chukwuemeka
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- Nov-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- In 2010-2011, urban high schools across New Jersey reported suspension rates that ranged between 10 and 20%. This rate translated into increased dropout rates and low graduation rates. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influenced suspension rates, dropout rates and graduation rates of an urban New Jersey high school. More specifically, this study began as an inquiry into the effectiveness of the Student Youth Development (SYD) program, an alternative to an in-school and out-of-school suspension developed to help at-risk students to recognize and replace dysfunctional behavioral and academic decisions. An innovative practice, added to SYD in its fourth year, was assigning the student to write a reflective essay. The theoretical lens for this mixed-methods study was Duckworth’s concepts of grit and the value of self-control in the expression of learners who demonstrate grit (Duckworth, Gendler & Gross, 2014), The assumption that guided this study was that students who expressed self-control were more likely than those who did not to develop appropriate school behaviors and complete their courses for the year. Six coders, who were educators in the high school trained to recognize expressions of self-control, read 30 reflective essays written by at-risk students during the first semester of the 2015-2016 school year, examining them for themes of self-control. The student-authors’ self-control scores were then compared to their subsequent behavioral and academic performances. While the multiple comparisons found no statistically significant correlation between self-control themes and a student’s behavioral and academic outcomes, the patterns of students’ subsequent performances did show that participating in the SYD program yielded moderately significant positive outcomes with respect to the subsequent behavior records and academic performances of the at-risk students. In debriefings that followed the coding of the essays, staff members articulated the value of the concept of self-control for understanding and interacting with the at-risk students. Based upon these unanimous reports, the researcher recommends the following interventions: the implementation of emotional intelligence training for staff and students; opportunities for reflective writing in the History and English curriculum; and, the addition of a certified counselor to proactively assist students with emerging issues of character development.
- Keyword:
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Creator:
- Burch, David W.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- Jul-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 1.6% of Americans identify as gay or lesbian and 0.7% identify as bisexual (Somashekhar, 2014). Applying these statistics to the number of public school teachers in New Jersey indicates that of the more than 114,000 teachers, over 1,800 teachers would identify as gay or lesbian and almost 800 teachers would identify as bisexual (New Jersey Department of Education [NJDOE], 2016). The findings of this study provide insight to the school climate of LGBT teachers and offer guidance to boards of education, administration, and pre-service teacher training programs. This study used qualitative research methods and was divided into two phases. The first phase of the study consisted of participants completing an online survey. Potential participants were notified of the survey through emails, social media, advertisements, flyers/posters, letters, and in-person requests. The survey was accessible to all current public school teachers in New Jersey. Participants were asked to answer questions pertaining to their school environment based on homophobic remarks, harassment, school characteristics, and personal characteristics. The results of this survey were used to create a cohort faction of four teachers. Of the four teachers chosen to continue with the study, two scored the lowest on the survey, indicating a high prevalence of homophobic issues in their schools, and two scored the highest on the survey, indicating a low prevalence of homophobic issues in their schools. The second phase of the study included face-to-face interviews in a semi-structured format. Participants answered open-ended questions. The purpose of the face-to-face interviews was to examine the indicators of school climate as well as the overall school climate for LGBT teachers.
- Keyword:
- Doctoral Dissertation and Dissertation Committee: Robert Andrews, Ed.D, Mentor Sally Millaway, Ed.D. Andrew Orefice, Ed.D.
- Creator:
- Burns, Lori B.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- 2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The purpose of this project was to decrease of the rate of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for pharyngitis by implementing an evidence-based training session for physicians in an outpatient pediatric setting. The PICOT question explored was, "For health providers treating children aged 4-15 presenting with sore throat, will the use of a power point training session presenting the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) with reflexive culture, combined with the ICE (ideas, concern and expectations) method, improve knowledge and reduce antibiotic prescribing compared to RADT alone in a 20 day period?" The provider study group consisted of four pediatricians and one family practice physician ranging from 32-72 years old. Their pre-test (34.63%) and post-test (53.75%) knowledge scores were significantly different (t = -2.3822, df = 6, p <0.05). A total of 125 cases were sampled, 64 pre-intervention and 61 post-intervention. Pearson’s Chi Square analysis revealed homogeneity between both the groups in age (X2 = 0.94, df = 1, p = 0.33), gender (X2 = 0.64, df = 1, p = 0.42), and ethnicity (X2 = 1.29, df = 2, p = 0.53) and a decrease in overall antibiotic prescribing rates from 40.6% (n = 26) to 27.9% (n = 17). Although this was not a significant statistical reduction (p = .13), further analysis using a binomial test revealed statistically different rates of success in the accuracy of diagnosis and associated antibiotic prescribing pre-intervention (79.7%) compared to 96.7% post-intervention (p = .00; 95% CI [88.7, 99.6]). Unnecessary antibiotic exposure was reduced by 17.2%. The most common ICE elements were thought of possible strep infection (39), viral or other infection (26), concern for pain (24), infecting other family members (14), fever (14), expectation to get better (32), test for strep (18), and pain relief (9). Only 2 of the 5 cases in the post-intervention group (n = 61) who expressed desire for antibiotics received them.
- Keyword:
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Creator:
- Camacho-Walsh, Mercedes
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- Dec-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Measuring internal and external perspectives of Jesuit universities as anchor institutions using boundary-spanning theory
- Keyword:
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Creator:
- Chiaravalloti, Nicholas A.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/25/2018
- Date Created:
- Jul-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Studies have investigated student-faculty relations and its impact on children’s lives, repeatedly citing many benefits. With a lack of research on the high school level on how these relations affect academic self-perception, the purpose of this study was to examine first year college students’ interactions with faculty in high school and its impact on student academic self-ratings. Using data from the 2013 CIRP Freshman Survey that was given to thousands of first-time, full-time college freshmen across the nation, ANOVA results found significant differences between first year college students’ engagement in high school activities and influences involving educators and their academic self-ratings. The analysis indicates a positive relationship between increased amounts of activities or influences involving educators and student academic self-ratings. Furthermore, the analysis shows favorable results on how student academic self-ratings impact school performance, which provides support that besides increased student-faculty interaction impacting academic self-perception, it can indirectly have a positive impact on student performance. Educational leaders should further seek implementation of increased student-faculty interaction to benefit student confidence and performance.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Ferraro, Stephen
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/26/2018
- Date Created:
- Dec-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- This qualitative study explored the impact of virtual reality technologies on the educational setting of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as perceived by participating directors of special services. The significant increase in the number of students being diagnosed with ASD affects school districts across the country. These districts struggle to meet the high level of needs for support and services required to ensure students an educational experience that maximizes learning. There are no fixed solutions for students with ASD. However, the expanding market of innovative technologies, including virtual reality technologies, may offer alternative supports in the educational experience of the learner, with claims to provide a particularly facilitatory environment for students with ASD. There is, however, a lack of substantive research examining how directors of special services, frequently one of the the lead decision-makers in determining programming and technology acquisitions for classified students, perceive this relatively new and innovative technology as a potentially effective intervention. Data were collected from eight semistructured interviews with participating directors of special services in both public and private K-12 schools in Monmouth County, New Jersey, as identified through the New Jersey Department of Education’s 2016-17 Directory of Directors/Supervisors of Pupil Personnel/Special Services. Data were analyzed to identify common themes among directors pertaining to the potential impact of virtual reality technologies on the educational experience of students with ASD. Attitudes toward teacher professional development to implement these technologies in the classroom setting were also examined. Data revealed important themes regarding the perceived potential of this intervention. These themes included the importance of life skills and social skills as a priori to academic competencies and the value of interactivity and experiential nature of technology. Data also revealed notablethemes regarding the effective facilitation of staff professional development for implementation of these technologies. Among these were fear and resistance to change, the importance of professional development structure, and the value of a culture of technology. This study contributes to the existing literature regarding best practices in technology integration for supporting students with special needs, particularly those with ASD. It attempts to provide district leaders with a better understanding of the ways in which virtual reality technologies can offer alternative educational supports that may have a positive impact on the academic competencies, life skills, and social skills of students with ASD. The study also provides a lens through which district leaders may better perceive barriers to staff professional development, and how a culture of technology may help mitigate these factors
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Gleason, Lisa
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/26/2018
- Date Created:
- Apr-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The purpose of this research was to identify the role of the relationship between the school board and the school superintendent. This study was an effort to describe the role of relationship between the two stakeholders and what effect that relationship had on school climate and how their relationship impacted their ability to develop a strong working relationship. Additionally, this study looked at the relationship’s impact on a superintendent’s longevity in his/her position. After researching the current literature, a survey tool was developed to conduct a quantitative research study. These surveys were used to identify the stakeholders’ perspectives on their relationship. The population targeted for this study was retired and active school board members in the State of New Jersey and retired, interim and active school superintendents in the State of New Jersey. Three research questions were used in the design of this quantitative study. The survey instrument, that included closed ended questions, was sent to the identified superintendents and school board members via survey monkey and email. The findings from this study indicated that school board members and superintendents revealed that the majority of both stakeholders agreed that the relationship between the school board members and the superintendent has an impact on the school culture and climate. Communication, decision-making, common values, and trust were important attributes in a positive relationship that built a positive culture and climate. Furthermore respondents agreed that leadership style, communication skills and being able to maintain a positive school climate as important qualities for securing longevity for a superintendent.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Reisenauer, Lauren
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/26/2018
- Date Created:
- Mar-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Many elderly living with diabetes struggle to maintain their HgbA1C at the individualized levels that current guidelines recommend (ADA, 2012). Even adults living in long-term care facilities, where professional healthcare providers manage medication and where balanced meals are provided, struggle to maintain their HgbA1c levels. Pharmaceutical companies have developed newer products, such as basal insulin, to lower glucose levels and, therefore, HgbA1c. This project compared the efficacy of adding basal insulin, including Toujeo (Sanofi), which is a newly-available, long acting human insulin analog, to treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents in patients with Type II diabetes. This evidence-based project was a retrospective chart review of an initiative being implemented in a New Jersey LTC facility as a pilot study of a basal insulin algorithm to decrease adjusted hemoglobin A1c to <8.5%. The retrospective chart review was completed to determine if there would be significant improvement in glucose control for this population with the addition of basal insulin compared to glucose control in another New Jersey LTC facility using predominantly oral medication. Based on these findings, indication for widespread implementation to the remaining five sister facilities of Arista Care was determined.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Potash, Diane
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/26/2018
- Date Created:
- 2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Although proper nutrition has been found to be an essential factor in health maintenance and restoration in the critically ill patient, research has indicated that this population often falls victim to malnutrition while in the intensive care unit (ICU). Malnutrition has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Conversely, early initiation of nutritional support has been associated with reduced mortality and morbidity, decreased length of stay, lower rates of infection, and decreased time on mechanical ventilation. Enteral feeding protocols have been found to combat the risk of malnutrition in the critically ill, mechanically ventilated patient, with data suggesting that they may reduce time to feeding initiation, reduce interruptions, and reduce time to reaching goal feeding rates. The goal of this project was to develop an enteral feeding protocol for critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients in a local community hospital based on evidence collected and to measure the impact of this protocol on enteral feeding initiation, advancement to goal rate, and length of stay. While a reduction in time to enteral feeding initiation (p = 0.158) and decreased length of stay (p = 0.861) was found with the introduction of the protocol, the impact was not statistically significant. However, significant reduction in time to enteral feeding goal rate achievement was found (p = 0.004). Based on this data, in addition to research reviewed, it has been concluded that the use of enteral nutritional protocols should be standard in all ICUs in an attempt to improve outcomes and minimize complications among the critically ill, mechanically ventilated patient
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Wolleon, Christina
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/26/2018
- Date Created:
- Dec-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The 2009 introduction of the Common Core State Standards represented an opportunity to study teacher and principal perceptions of meaningful support during a time of curricular change. The purpose of this study was to explore how teachers’ and principals’ perceptions of meaningful support affected the implementation of the Common Core ELA Standards integration into grade five social studies curriculum and instruction. The study focused on an examination of the similarities and differences between teachers’ definitions of meaningful support and the principals’ self-ratings of the support they provided to faculty. The study also explored how the amount, nature, and duration of professional development influenced teachers’ perceptions of the support they had been provided by the principal. This mixed-methods study collected data through a teacher survey, a principal survey, a teacher interview, and a review of data from the national 2012 School and Staffing Survey (SASS). In total, six principals and 21 teachers from eight northern New Jersey school districts completed online surveys, and 10 teachers were interviewed. The data, once analyzed, revealed three key findings. There is no shared understanding of what meaningful support is or should be among teachers, nor between teachers and principals. Key concepts did not have a commonly shared meaning. Teachers reported feeling that they had been supported by principals to implement the CCSS ELA, but not to integrate it with social studies curricula.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation Committee Marylu A. Coviello, Ed.D., Mentor Michelle Anderson, Ed.D., Committee Member David Turi, Ph.D., Committee Member and Department of Education
- Creator:
- Ross, Christine K.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/06/2020
- Date Created:
- Apr-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
-
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to examine the sustained impact of participation in the Tools of the Mind preschool program on language arts, mathematics, reading and writing achievement in middle school, the specific impact of participation on racial subgroups and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and the effects of student mobility on academic achievement. Using a nonexperimental, quantitative, longitudinal design, the achievement of the original cohort of students who participated in the program was examined over 2 consecutive years. The results of the study suggest that participation in the Tools of the Mind program increases the overall achievement of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and the writing performance of African American students. Analysis of student mobility data revealed that a high rate of student mobility has a negative impact on student achievement. These study results are consistent with decades of research into the impact of participation in a high-quality preschool program. Caution should be taken in interpreting the results because promotion of the development of self-regulation and executive function, aspects that set the Tools of the Mind program apart from other preschool programs, is not measured by the NJASK, and thus the impact of the program may have been underestimated.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Millaway, Sally A.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 2015
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Numerous studies have demonstrated that educators having degrees in their subjects significantly enhances student achievement, particularly in secondary mathematics and science (Chaney, 1995; Goe, 2007; Rowan, Chiang, & Miller, 1997; Wenglinsky, 2000). Yet, science teachers in states that adopt the Next Generation Science Standards will be facilitating classroom engineering activities despite the fact that few have backgrounds in engineering. This quantitative study analyzed ex-post facto WaterBotics (an innovative underwater robotics curriculum for middle and high school students) data to determine if educators having backgrounds in engineering (i.e., undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering) positively affected student learning on two engineering outcomes: 1) the engineering design process, and 2) understanding of careers in engineering (who engineers are and what engineers do). The results indicated that educators having backgrounds in engineering did not significantly affect student understanding of the engineering design process or careers in engineering when compared to educators having backgrounds in science, mathematics, technology education, or other disciplines. There were, however, statistically significant differences between the groups of educators. Students of educators with backgrounds in technology education had the highest mean score on assessments pertaining to the engineering design process while students of educators with disciplines outside of STEM had the highest mean scores on instruments that assess for student understanding of careers in engineering. This might be due to the fact that educators who lack degrees in engineering but who teach engineering do a better job of “sticking to the script” of engineering curricula.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Scribner, John Adam
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- May-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- New laws that focused on increased accountability (NJ Achieve, Davy's Report, ESEA) influenced high school administrators to revisit organizational structures as a way to create to more efficient instructional practices that would translate into success on the New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment. The Junior Academy at Ferris High School models this approach to education reform in New Jersey through the development of both professional learning communities for instructors and a small learning environment for students. The Junior Academy has placed juniors in a separate building with an intensive instructional focus on preparing students for the New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment. The focus of this study will assess the effectiveness of this education initiative through a correlational research design that will utilize longitudinal data.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Gentile, Gary James
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- May-2014
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Using mixed methods, this study examined the perceptions of superintendents of the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating online courses in order to meet graduation requirements in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Twenty-three superintendents completed an online survey that measured perceived advantages and disadvantages of incorporation online courses in order to meet graduation requirements. The survey consisted of four qualitative and forty-two quantitative questions. Qualitative data revealed that superintendents believe online learning to be a part of their futures. Quantitative data was conducted utilizing correlation analysis. These results did not yield statistical significance. Therefore, school factors were then analyzed and plotted to determine differences between the superintendents surveyed. The results of this study were discussed, as were implications for practitioners and researchers The author chooses RESTRICTED ACCESS - Please contact the library for more details.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Savoia, Lisa M
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 2015
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a PLC model as theorized by Hord (1997) and as influenced by Bandura's (1997) theory of self-efficacy on grade 4 mathematics and language arts literacy achievement on High-Stakes Criterion-Based Assessments (HSCBA). The researcher conducted this study in an urban New Jersey elementary setting and utilized a longitudinal non-experimental quantitative design. The researcher measured total population, ethnic sub groups and special education achievement through an analysis of the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) among 1,479 4th grade students to determine if there was a statistically significant link between PLCs and student achievement levels. The researcher subsequently conducted a series of ANOVAs on the NJASK4 data obtained. The study results support the benefit of PLCs as capacity-building, efficacy-supporting structure that improves student achievement.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Terrell, Jerard L.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 2015
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Are fraternities still relevant to the college student experience? By examining the moral, student, and leadership development of IFC fraternity men, while controlling for institutional and student characteristics, the current study analyzed the roots of the purported value-added nature of fraternities using data from the Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL). Specifically, the current study examined fraternity men’s gains in self-authorship, internalized moral perspective, advancement along Kohlberg’s model of moral reasoning, and the individual “c’s” of the social change model while controlling for the variables of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and parental education. This quantitative study used both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze data from a national dataset; inferential analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way Analysis of Variance and the Mann-Whitney U test as a post hoc analysis. The interesting and troubling findings of this study allowed for the elucidation of much needed policy change, new best practice, and a call for reform in the fraternity movement.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Dowiak, Shawn Michael
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- May-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Improving quality of care, patient safety and efficiency in healthcare are a national focus. Governmental agencies have taken an interest in identifying and monitoring interventions that will improve patient-centered care as well as other strategies that improve quality of care and/or decrease healthcare costs. The identified problem for this scholarly project is the inadequate identification and management of pain in patients who have undergone interventional cardiac procedures as reported by patient satisfaction scores and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. The focus of this project will be to utilize a traffic light pain assessment tool to improve patient self-reporting and early identification of pain, which should result in the rapid intervention of pain management treatments by the nursing staff. This goal will be accomplished by instructing patients on the purpose and utilization of the traffic light pain assessment tool. Keywords: pain, traffic light tool, patient satisfaction, patient centered care, HCAHPS scores.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Crowley, Barbara
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 7-Nov-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Study abroad has been a part of the curricular and co-curricular programming of higher education since 1875. Yet, despite the long history, a literature search revealed that study abroad is the least examined of the high impact practices (HIPs) related to engagement theory. Further, despite its promise as a retention strategy, study abroad has never been fully explored as a solution to the retention ills of higher education. Therefore, using data from the 2011 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), this study analyzed the engagement and retention value of higher education, principally through the use of MANOVAs and Mann-Whitney U tests. To learn more about the engagement practices of students who study abroad and elucidate learning style characteristics of study abroad participants, an analysis using Chi-square testing was conducted about students’ participation in study abroad, other voluntary high impact practices, and co-curricular activities. The results of the analysis illuminated that study abroad participants have a significant, impactful tendency to hyper-participate during and after their study abroad experience, suggesting an overall positive effect on the outcome variables. Students who studied abroad made significant gains in relation to Tinto’s construct of social integration; this was consistent across race/ethnicity, academic major, and gender factors. The students made different gains in retention, albeit to varying degrees, as measured by level of academic integration and positive feelings about institutional actions. Finally, students demonstrated engagement gains that were mostly significant; these differed by race/ethnicity, academic major, and gender. As a result of these findings, leaders in higher education should consider study abroad as a tool to help students socially integrate, increase their engagement, and, among certain student populations, increase retention. If study abroad were integrated as a part of the core curriculum, study abroad would stifle the high dropout rates currently plaguing American higher education.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Lily M., Di Maggio
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- May-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Teacher evaluation has existed in many forms throughout history. With or without formal processes teachers are held accountable for student learning and achievement gains through a variety of measures such as standardized test scores, parent feedback, administrative feedback and students' grades. Recent political movement has spurred legislators to support more rigorous and specific evaluation systems that increased accountability of teachers and school districts to link teacher evaluation to student learning. New Jersey adopted the TEACHNJ act in 2012 which required set number of evaluations for tenured and non-tenured teachers, criteria for each evaluation through a variety of models, and test scores and teacher developed assessments were tied into a final score for teachers. If the teacher evaluation system aims to improve practice and identify areas for professional growth, it is important to understand teachers' perceptions on the new system. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of teachers related to the effectiveness of the teacher evaluation system in New Jersey and the perceived benefits and limitations of the new system. This mixed-methods study surveyed teachers from six suburban districts in New Jersey. The districts varied in size and socioeconomic factors, but all districts were in their second year of the new teacher evaluation system. Teachers answered eight survey questions using a Likert scale and two open-ended questions that allowed respondents to expand on any of the questions or any other related comments not addressed in the survey. The study revealed that teachers believe in the fundamental principles that serve evaluation processes. Teachers understood the research behind the systems and the need for accountability. The key in successful teacher evaluation is comprehensive training opportunities for teachers not only in what constitutes effective teaching practices, but with the implementation of these practices into the classroom. Further, teachers need to have training on how to utilize the tools used to manage the evaluation systems so that teachers are not tied up with bureaucratic practices that take away from the time to plan effective lessons or collaborate with colleagues. Additionally, evaluators need to continue to learn alongside the teachers to ensure reliability and consistency within the different evaluations a teacher receives from multiple observers. Further research that aligns teacher evaluation with student achievement, as well as teacher evaluation within a variety of settings with specific evaluation models would be valuable. As new teacher evaluation systems become the norm in districts across the nation, further study would provide school leaders with ways to ensure successful and effective implementation policies that support both students and teachers.
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- Ladd, Susan
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- Mar-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The construction industry in New Jersey has long provided a viable opportunity to young men and women searching for employment as an alternative to continuing education beyond high school. Although New Jersey's county vocational school systems were established and are funded for the purposes of educating and training students in prerequisite skill sets for work force positions, discussions with the administration of today’s county vocational school districts suggests that enrollment in many of the programs developed to prepare students for construction industry or building trades programs has been decreasing. This mixed methods study examined the evolution of building trades education in New Jersey’s county vocational high school system through the perspective of the administrators charged with leading the districts currently offering programming in the same. More specifically, these administrators were asked to identify the variables they believe to have contributed to a perceived decline in enrollment in these courses. The null hypothesis tested as part of this study was that there is no statistically significant relationship among New Jersey county vocational school administrators’ perceptions and the variables that impact enrollment in high school level Building Trades programming. In addition to testing the null hypothesis, role emphasis was placed on answering the following, research questions: 1. What are the variables that have impacted enrolment in Building Trades programming at the high school level? 2. Are there notable differences in beliefs of the respondents based on the population of the county in which the school districts operate? 3. Is there a program structure that is more effective at maintaining consistent enrollment than others, i.e. shared time programming vs. full time programming? 4. Are county vocational school districts moving away from offering prerequisite coursework in traditionally less academic trades and more towards traditionally highly academic trades, i.e. engineering, technology and medicine?
- Keyword:
- Dissertation
- Creator:
- LaValva, Stephen Vincent
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- May-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The National School Lunch Program has been aiding the feeding of children in schools since 1946, at a time when children were found to be underweight. Since the program’s inception, there was a continuous rise in childhood obesity until recently, when it leveled off. More than a third of children are still considered obese, which is concerning for our Nation. The NSLP feeds millions of children each day, and changes to the nutritional standards were implemented in 2012 under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. The standards were put into place to serve children more nutrient dense foods while in school. The study was designed to see if there is a relationship between tenth graders body mass index percentiles and the implementation of the new lunch standards. The researcher also examined if there was a relationship between the implementation of the new lunch standards and the students categorized as free, reduced, or paid lunch. The tenth-grade students' BMI percentiles were analyzed using the independent sample t-test in a quantitative study design. Findings showed that the implementation of the new lunch standards had an insignificant relationship to tenth grade students' BMI percentiles overall as well as when students were categorized by lunch status
- Keyword:
- Dissertations
- Creator:
- Menezes, Megan
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Educators seek the best methods to teach their students on a daily basis. ELL learners not only have the hard task of acculturation, they are also expected to reach the same level of proficiency as their native English-speaking peers. Researchers have made efforts to seek out the best type of instruction for these ELL students. Accordingly, the debate continues about what type of instruction—inclusion or exclusion—best benefits these types of learners. This study was designed to examine the effect the types of instruction has on the ELL learner. The WIDA ACCESS test was administered to students at the end of the school year after receiving either inclusion or exclusion instruction to grades kindergarten through three in two districts in New Jersey. The outcomes of the scores were then analyzed using the independent samples t-test in a quantitative study design. Findings showed that in the four domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, only certain areas showed to be significant that the type of instruction has an impact on the ELL learner. This study confirmed that the delivery of instruction could play a significant role in the education of ELLs.
- Keyword:
- Dissertations
- Creator:
- Lozanski, Yvette
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 27-Oct-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- Technology is increasingly present in American homes and offices and in nearly every form of American entertainment. As a result, U.S. society has become dependent on technology. Most Americans' daily routine consists of frequent interactions with electronic gadgets, interfaces, and computers in order to purchase goods online, meet people, and work. Therefore, to some extent, U.S. schools should mimic the current social environment by using technology as an educational tool. The global environment demands that students have 21st-century technology skills. Today's students learn using different modalities that require various accommodations in the classroom setting. Teachers play a pivotal role in fully preparing and engaging students. Thus, it is important to identify what factors influence teachers' decision to integrate current technology educational tools in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationships, if any, between teachers' demographics, use of current technological tools, attitudes, professional development, and rate and stage of technology adoption/integration. A survey instrument created by Buckenmeyer was modified and updated to reflect the technologies used in the classroom. The Factors Influencing Teachers' Decision to Integrate Current Technology Educational Tools in Urban Elementary Public Schools Five elementary urban public schools and 133 teachers in Newark, New Jersey, participated in the study. Their responses were used to determine the relationships between various factors and the rate and stage of technology adoption/integration. Significant correlations were found between technology adoption/integration and each of the categories-- especially teachers' beliefs and attitudes and professional/staff development. Various items in each category were found to be significantly correlated with technology adoption/integration, including teachers' belief that they are better teachers with technology and addressing students' learning styles. Additionally, mean scores showed strong agreement with the desire to participate in professional/staff development workshops on how to integrate current technology educational tools into the instruction, especially into the new English language arts and math curricula in Newark Public Schools. Based on the strength and significance of the correlations and mean scores, there were three recommendations for stakeholders regarding the factors that influence teachers' decision to integrate current technology educational tools into the classroom: (a) improve teachers' belief in and attitudes toward the use of current technology educational tools; (b) provide continuous, technology-infused professional development opportunities that align with the current literacy and math curricula; and (c) provide current technology educational tools such as hardware, learning software, and Web 2.0
- Keyword:
- Dissertations
- Creator:
- Barbaran, Claudio
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- Aug-2014
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- This study examined the effects of participation and lack of participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities on academic achievement of students enrolled in a comprehensive urban high school. Students from the graduating classes of 2013 and 2014 were studied, with 75 extracurricular participants and 75 nonparticipants from each year. The researcher collected data to focus on the following dependent variables: cumulative student grade point average, class rank, average absences, New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment scores, SAT scores, gender, race, academic placement, and socioeconomic status. A one-way analysis of variance was used to test the data. The researcher predicted that there would be no difference for participants and nonparticipants with respect to their academic achievement. However, participation in at least one school-sponsored extracurricular activity returned a statistically significant result, proving that students that are engaged in at least one school-sponsored extracurricular activity will have a higher academic achievement level.
- Keyword:
- Dissertations
- Creator:
- Martin, Gurczeski Jr
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- May-2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- On December 2, 1975, President Ford signed into law Public Law (P.L) 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which guaranteed the right of a free, appropriate education to handicapped children. Many interpreted this law to mean that handicapped children would be given their right to receive an equal educational opportunity. However, Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under this law means more than equal (Zirkel, 2005, p. 2) and as a result, by 1984, 9 years after the law passed, the number of special education students increased by 500,000 (Triano, 2000, p. 2). In 2016, the 38th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) reported that the number of students being served ages 3 to 5 in 2014 was 753,697, and ages 6 through 21 was 5,944,241. To say that we have over-classified students as disabled would be an understatement. The state of New Jersey formed committees of building and school-based teams in an effort to provide support to students in general education that need assistance but may not need more intensive services under special education. In an effort to reduce classifications, New Jersey initiated new regulations for Intervention and Referral Services (I & RS) for General Education Pupils, New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 6:26, in 2001.
- Keyword:
- Dissertations
- Creator:
- Cleveland, Denise
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- Apr-2017
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
-
- Description:
- The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of principal’s self-perceptions of their leadership styles on academic achievement using the peer school ranking of their elementary school. The researcher measured the four leadership styles: telling, selling, delegating, and participating, identified within the Situational Leadership ® theory by Blanchard et al. (1993), among 196 New Jersey elementary school principals using Hersey and Blanchard’s (1985) Leader Effectiveness and Adaptability Description (LEAD) instrument. Comparing the principals’ self-perceptions of their leadership styles with peer group rankings in the areas of Academic Achievement, College and Career Readiness, Student Growth, and School Status on the 2013-2014 New Jersey School Performance Reports provided a method to understand the influence between leadership style and academic achievement. The researcher subsequently conducted Pearson Correlation tests and Simple Regression tests on the data obtained from the LEAD instrument and NJ School Performance Reports. The study results indicated that the most prevalent leadership styles among NJ elementary principals were selling and participating with 81.6% of the respondents reporting these styles. When the leadership style in each area of the NJ School Performance Report (Academic Achievement, College and Career Readiness, Student Growth, and School Status) were compared, there was no statistically significant correlation. An emphasis placed on leadership style, specifically within Situational Leadership ® theory, was not a predictor of peer school ranking on the NJ School Performance Report in any of the areas. Principal leadership style was not a contributing factor in the principal’s peer school ranking on the NJ School Performance Report.
- Keyword:
- Dissertations
- Creator:
- BORMANN, JOHN E.
- Owner:
- skushner@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 01/07/2020
- Date Created:
- 2015
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation